Questions About Thrush

[lovebirdslair]

I have a 5-month old daughter. Yesterday I noticed a little white spot on the very end of her tongue. I figured she probably just bit her tongue (she has her 2 bottom teeth in). This morning while brushing her teeth I noticed more white spots inside on her upper lip. I tried taking her to a clinic, but they won't see babies under 9 months. Her normal ped is on vacation & will return Monday, so I will take her then. My daughter had a couple rounds of antibiotics -- lasted about 24 days. She just got off them about 2 1/2 weeks ago.

My mother who is an LPN recommended using Gentian Violet for her. I did get some & have used it twice today. I am also reading that Grapefruit Seed Extract works well too. I have some of that as well. Given these 2 options, which do you prefer? (Aside from the purple stain, I can deal with that) I know the GSE should be used every waking hour, but how often should the violet be used?

Any advice, suggestions & stories of experience will be most appreciated!

[MrsPinecone]

Ugh, you don't want to hear what I have to say about thrush.

Gentian violet once a day. I did it at bedtime, so it had less chance of being washed away at feedings.

Are you nursing?

[Jskell911]

I just got over a round of thrush myself (yeah I know you hear more about it in the little ones). Mine was a direct result of taking Biaxin. I never knew of these remedies before. Good to know. Hope it's cleared up from the little one soon.

[SMS80]

Gentian violet works great, actually better then Nystatin.

If you're nursing make sure to put in on yourself too and be sure to throw out any meds you may have given the baby that could have become contaminated (Tylenol, Mylicon, etc.). That's how I reinfected my daughter...

And boil everything (pacifers, teethers, etc.) or throw it out.

And the purple dye is permanent and gets everywhere.

Good luck

[mrsjschultz]

I just wanted to say GL - I never tried the GV with my little guy. But her did have several (and I do mean several weeks) of Nystatin. Thrush is such a PITA. I hope it goes away quickly for you!!

[carisal]

never dealt with thrush myself so I hope you don't mind me stepping in here :)

but maybe you would want to call her pediatrician and ask if it would be approprite to start her on yogurt (I know you said she is only 5 months - I wasn't giving any solids at that age, EBFing still - and held off dairy til just after 1 year... but I believe that yogurt is ok'd at earlier than one year ... but I don't know about 5 months .. sorry I am rambling,
but I know yogurt is also recommended to help with thrush/yeast.
I give my daughter the YoBABY yogurt(drinkable and in the cups/spoonfed) and she really likes it(there is a .50/1 IP on their site as well but can only print once per computer and only good for 10 days - LOL)

[Ggbwg]

Your doing the right things for it. When my son had a couple times they gave hime Nystatin and Violet stuff. The purple stuff works great!! People look at you weird but it works great! Oh wanted to mention that when they painted his mouth at the dr. office it was thicker and lasted longer than the stuff i bought over the counter at Walgreens. Good Luck!

[lovebirdslair]

Thanks everyone for all of your advice. My LO went to her ped this afternoon. She's all cleared up! The dr gave her a clean bill of health & told me to keep the violet on hand in case it ever happens again. She said it is the best treatment, but a lot of people don't like the mess.

My LO is formula-fed, but she went through a long round of antibiotics for a chest cold, followed by another round because DH & I were sick with strep & then an ear infection.

[darmomof2]

my kids both had is and they gave them a med that did not stain and i did not get it either time but it took about 10 days or so to clear up GL

[MrsPinecone]

The gentian violet is da bomb.

Nystatin is not really necessary. You need a prescription, and about 50% of yeast is Nystatin resistant, so it doesn't work anyway. I know this from sore experience.